ISLAMABAD: Acumen Fund, a pioneering nonprofit global venture firm addressing poverty across Africa and in South Asia, hosted an event yesterday to introduce the first class of Acumen Pakistan Fellows. In partnership with JS Bank, the Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation and the Edmond de Rothschild Foundations, Acumen is working to develop the next generation of social change leaders who are building innovative businesses and strong institutions across Pakistan. 20 individuals have been selected out of over 500 candidates to participate in the year-long training programme, while simultaneously continuing to pursue their social impact initiatives. Fellows’ initiatives range from creating an interest-free microfinance institution, to a disaster relief project, to a teaching training program. “Pakistan today faces many challenges, and we need new leaders who are dedicated to creating a better future for this country,” said Farrukh Khan, country director of the Acumen Fund Pakistan on the occasion.